Joint Opposition has stated that Dhiggaru Constituency MP Ahmed Faris Maumoon was arrested on orders of President Abdullah Yameen and influential individuals within the Government.

In a statement released Sunday evening, Joint Opposition said that MP Faris was arrested without any evidence to back the Government’s claims that he was attempting to overthrow the Government. As such, the Parties allege that MP Faris was arrested outside of legal ambit and to gain political benefits.

The statement added that he was arrested on a crime he did not commit, on a trial that is yet to begin and is being detained illegally.

It also noted that authorities had attempted to search Endherimaage, residence of father and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, twice on that day; both times illegally. The search, it added, did not yield any evidence to back the said claims.

The Parties said that MP Faris was accused of conspiring to overthrow the Government, following his attempts to bring in a motion of no confidence on Parliament Speaker. He was jailed on the basis of an intelligence report collated on allegations that he had offered bribes to MPs for the no confidence motion. However, MPs had attested that MP Faris had not bribed and they had signed the motion willingly.

The Parties condemned the arrest and treatment meted out to MP Faris at the hands of authorities.  Additionally, the statement had criticized the message released by Spokesperson. In a tweet posted, the Spokesperson said that the President had ordered Maldives Police Service (MPS) to implement the court order issued to arrest MP Faris. This, the Parties said was a clear indication of President’s interference in authorities to achieve political means.